The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has explained why the alleged self-styled Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, was not produced before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the activities of the purported agency.
The explanation was contained in a letter to the committee, which was read on Wednesday by its chairman, Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), after Adeniyi failed to appear before lawmakers as previously directed.
According to the letter, Adeniyi remains in police custody over an ongoing criminal investigation involving allegations of conspiracy and forgery.
Reading the correspondence, Gagdi said the police informed the committee that the suspect could not be released because he is being held under a valid court remand order.
“The first leg of the investigation concerns conspiracy and forgery, which is why the suspect is in custody. We respect the principle of separation of powers,” Gagdi said.
He explained that the letter was read publicly to dispel any impression that Adeniyi had ignored the committee’s summons.
“I decided to read the letter so members of the press would not conclude that the man simply failed to appear. We have procedures guiding our proceedings,” he said.
Gagdi further stated that the IGP explained that Adeniyi’s continued detention was based on a subsisting court order.
“The IG said the suspect is in custody because the court remanded him. Until that remand order is vacated, he cannot be brought before the National Assembly,” he said.
The committee chairman stressed that lawmakers would not interfere with the ongoing police investigation or judicial process.
“We cannot tamper with the ongoing investigation. We respect the work being done by the Nigeria Police Force, the DSS, ICPC, EFCC and the Office of the National Security Adviser, and we will not undermine the process,” he said.
He added that the committee would continue liaising with the police and other relevant agencies as the investigation progresses.
“We will continue to engage the police for further reports and clarification on outstanding issues. By next week, we hope to present our report as proceedings on this matter resume,” Gagdi added.
The House committee is investigating how the alleged PFIPC secured office space at the Federal Secretariat and received a ₦1.32 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act despite claims that the agency was never legally established.
Adeniyi is also being investigated by the police over allegations of conspiracy, forgery and falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the purported council.
